Drug Executive Collapses During Oval Office Press Conference
A press conference in the Oval Office was abruptly halted on Thursday when a drug executive fainted as President Donald Trump announced a new deal with drugmakers to reduce prices on obesity treatments.
Incident Details
The executive, identified as Gordon Findlay, the global brand director for Novo Nordisk, collapsed while Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks was speaking. Ricks noticed and asked,
“Are you OK? Gordon, are you OK?”
Dr. Mehmet Oz, the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, quickly responded and helped as Findlay fell to his knees and lost consciousness.
Context of the Event
The press conference focused on an agreement between the government and pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to expand coverage and reduce prices for their obesity drugs, Zepbound and Wegovy.
Following the collapse, press members were asked to leave the room as authorities attended to Findlay. Health and Human Services Secretary was also present during the incident.
“President Donald Trump looks on as Administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Dr. Mehmet Oz and others help a man identified as Gordon Findlay, who passed out during an event where Trump made a statement on lowering drug price.”
Summary
The unexpected medical emergency occurred at a key moment during a high-profile announcement on reducing obesity drug prices, highlighting the tense setting of the event.
Author's Summary
The press conference on reducing obesity drug prices was interrupted when Novo Nordisk's Gordon Findlay collapsed, with quick aid from Dr. Mehmet Oz and other officials.